‘Only sure means sure’: Swiss parliament tightens rape regulation

On Monday, the Swiss Parliament authorised the ‘solely sure means sure’ consent invoice that dramatically broaden the nation’s restricted definition of rape.

Geneva,UPDATED: Dec 6, 2022 11:31 IST

‘Only sure means sure’: Swiss parliament tightened rape regulation

By Agence France-Presse: The decrease home of Switzerland’s parliament voted Monday to dramatically broaden the nation’s restricted definition of rape to incorporate all intercourse with out consent, however a regulation change remains to be a good distance off.

There is broad settlement in Switzerland that its present rape regulation wants changes.

Under as we speak’s regulation, solely compelled vaginal penetration, met with a sure stage of resistance by the lady, is taken into account rape.

It is broadly agreed that the definition of rape must be broadened to incorporate all non-consensual penetration, whatever the intercourse of the sufferer, and no matter whether or not they fought again.

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But there was heated debate in Switzerland over measure consent, with some arguing for a “no means no” strategy, during which it will be thought of rape if an individual explicitly objects.

The higher home of parliament, the Council of States, voted earlier this yr for this strategy — however when the decrease National Council voted Monday it opted for a extra radical shift, requiring express consent for intercourse acts.

The “only yes means yes” choice narrowly handed with 99 votes in favour, 88 opposed and three abstentions.

Emotions ran excessive throughout Monday’s debate.

“It is obvious that you don’t take money out of your neighbour’s wallet without asking. It is obvious that you don’t enter someone’s home without ringing the bell,” Socialist member of parliament Tamara Funiciello informed the home, in accordance with the ATS information company.

“Why should my wallet and my home be better protected than my body?” she requested.

Greens MP Raphael Mahaim agreed, insisting that “the other person’s body is never an open bar.”

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But most of the right-leaning members of parliament opposed that choice, insisting it will create confusion and be tough to place into observe.

Amnesty International hailed the vote as “a huge success after years of activist activity for the rights of women, of sexual abuse victims.”

But the 2 chambers will now want to achieve an settlement earlier than the method can transfer ahead.

And as soon as that occurs, the matter would seemingly go to a well-liked vote beneath Switzerland’s direct democratic system.

Plenty of different European international locations have been shifting in direction of defining rape as intercourse acts with out express consent, together with Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Belgium.

Published On:

Dec 6, 2022